Find out what you need to know before you make your big move. Learn all about PT, the neighborhoods, the weather, the real estate, and what it’s really like to live in one of the coolest small towns in America.
This used to be a logging and fishing town on the Olympic Peninsula with real families and real jobs. It is now a California coastal town with a shoe-shine economy based on "lifestyle" and government "services." If I see one more stuffed manikin in a rocking chair playing a violin I will do something really crazy like escape to California to seek psychiatric help!
The cost of living here is through the roof. I don’t know about the culture here either. Sure there are events, but it’s the same handful of hobby bands mostly. They say it’s an arts community, but every artist I’ve known has moved away because it’s too expensive and there’s not a lot of money put into supporting the arts. There’s also only one place to go to buy socks and underwear, and they only have white cotton undies. You end up ordering almost everything like that online. I’m pretty lonely here. There’s just not a lot going on.
What a great perspective on these neighborhoods! It's going to be a tough choice when I am finally able to start looking at relocation. My only fear is that there will be little to no buildable lots available. Hoping for the best, planning to try and adapt.
As I was raised in Port Townsend I left at age 17 when I returned I only stayed 5 years before I could not handle the people and the entitlement mindset. Not to mention all the drugs and how your hard earned money will pay to run the homeless camp. This is not the same town I grew up in nor is it safe anymore.
Looked forward to this video. Been to Port Townsend and have visited as recently as August 2022. Someday would love to live there. Stayed at the Starrett House when we visited. There are many unique homes and neighborhoods. I have passed by the Castle before. Thanks for sharing!
Did you show the beat up old RV's on the back streets? The town shuts down at 6:00pm and it gets dark at 4:00pm in the winter months. Don't fret there is a suicide hotline. Bring your coat and hat the wind howls off the water and it is wet and cold out there.The average age is old to very old, so no night life here, no employment unless you are a good dishwasher. The best part of living here is the police log in the local paper. The homeless and the crazies never fail to entertain.
Dont forget that the locals have a bad case of verbal diarrhea. They say what ever the hell they like to a person and not even ask. I get educated so much, probably bevause of my out of state accent. Its very cliquie. Youll see 😂
Summers last about 3 to 4 months and it is great but when the tourists leave and it gets cold, wet and windy you will want to pack your bags. The town closes at 6:00pm because the average age is about 80. No night life. It gets dark for months by 4:00pm but don't fret, it is depressing but there is a suicide hot line. If you are looking for employment forget it unless you are a dishwasher. There are a fair amount of crazies and homeless here but that makes it fun to read the police log in the local paper. Looking for real estate? Good luck. Many come here and spend a month looking but can't find anything. If you like this kind of thing come visit.
The summers are great but last only 3 or 4 months. It is a tourist town with older residents so there is absolutely no night life and no employment opportunities. In the winter the town shuts down by 6:00pm and it is wet, cold and windy . It also gets dark at 4:00pm in the winter time. Other than that it is great. If you move here don't worry we do have a suicide hotline. The deer will eat your garden.
I suggest you move to Seattle. It will be much more to your liking with the drug addicts, homeless, and street walkers. Very exciting and nightlife never ceases. 😂
Finding a house for sale is another problem. People come here and stay for a month looking to buy but often leave because there is nothing available in their price range. A very limited supply of homes on the market. It is beautiful in the summer time but rainy, cold and windy in the late fall and winter. When it is dark at 4:00pm in the winter you may be tempted to kill yourself but don't. You have to pay your taxes first.
It's true. November and December can be very gray and wet with very short days. But I know from the weather stats and from direct experience that there is dramatically less rain in Port Townsend than there is in Seattle. In fact we get about a third of the total amount of rainfall that Seattle gets.
How about a ski/snowboard hill? Anything decent nearby? Or long journey to Baker 4-5 hour drive? Or less… but I suppose that kind of trade-off goes without saying as the cost of getting to live by The Sea 😃
Not 4-5 hours. Closer to 3 and a half. But yes, it takes commitment to get to Mt. Baker. It is a ferry ride and a significant drive away. You could take up winter surfing instead.
First time I visited Port Townsend was around 2000. I love it's quaint appeal and went for a day of kayaking. Then I revisited it in 2010 and didn't liked it as much compared to my last visit, there was too much development and increased traffic in just 10 years.
Please, just stop! There isn't enough housing as it is and people like you just keep promoting this town to death. Infrastructure is not being taken care of and the town can't even repair the potholes that are everywhere. The hospital can't get enough workers, restaurants can't get servers because there aren't any rentals and if there were they couldn't afford them because greed has taken over. JUST STOP!!
Hmmm. The Manresa Castle was never a castle. It was just big enough and fancy enough that people started referring to it as "the Eisenbeis castle" after its wealthy owner. The Jesuits owned it for over 40 years and gave it the Manresa name, but it was still "the castle" to the locals. It was originally brick, but the Jesuits made it larger and stuccoed over the brick.
The biggest tax in Washington, and therefore Port Townsend, is property tax. That tax increases after every property assessment. After buying a home here 9 years ago, my taxes have more than doubled. Sales taxes have also increased as a result of inflation. I thought Port Townsend would be an ideal place to retire, but now I am searching for places that tax the rich more than the working class.😢
Too give an idea of property values. I bought property S. of PT, 6 acres for $8,000. I received my tax access meant this week with property valved listed at just under $60,000.
Hippies always complain about gentrification, but they are always the ones bringing the contagion with them. When the first gallery opens, it's time to get out.
There are parks for RV camping. Just at the end of Water Street in downtown there is a marina. Between the marina and the beach there are spaces to rent for visiting travelers.
I would be interested in something small ie tiny house ir some property where an rv or such can be alliwed as swattke hates them my age usxwhy i wontvown a hiuse u am singke been that way my wholel7fe
Good choice. The homeless and criminally insane feel the same way. If you stay you may meet Rip Van Winkle. I have seen members of his family in town. Funny they all look the same. A wispy thin and long gray beard and a ponytail under a dirty old cap and a toothless old smile. I think they all have old beat up RV's and park on back streets in town. Hope to see you soon.
